Window opener and latch

ABSTRACT

A latch for a two-panel window is disclosed. After a base element is affixed to a movable window panel, a latch mounting platform and a swing arm are slid over the base. The swing arm can be pivoted out of latching engagement with a fixed mullion by operator finger pressure on a swing arm leg. The swing arm is biased into a latching position and is limited in its pivoting motion by hooked stops protruding through the mounting platform to the platform underside.

O United States Patent [191 [111 3,881,758 Gross 1 May 6, 1975 1 WINDOW OPENER AND LATCH 2,203,202 6/1940 292/87 Inventor: George E- G o s, gton eights 3,466,076 9/1969 Blsblng 292/109 [11. I Primary Examiner-Richard E. Moore l l 8 Tool wm'ks -v Chlcago Attorney, Agent, or FirmOls0n, Trexler, Wolters,

60631 Bushnell & Fosse, Ltd, [22] Filed: Jan. 14, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 433,110 ABSTRACT A latch for a two-panel window is disclosed. After a 52 us. Cl. 292/37; 292/128; 292/010. 38; base element is affixed to "Mable Wind P a 292113; 46 latch mounting platform and a swing arm are slid over 51 Int. Cl. E05c 3/04 the base- The swing arm can be Pivoted of latching [58] Field f Search" 292/80, 34, 87, 128, DIG 30, engagement with a fixed mullion by operator finger 292/1316 38 DIG 46 pressure on a swing arm leg. The swing arm is biased into a latching position and is limited in its pivoting 5 References Cited motion by hooked stops protruding through the UNITED STATES PATENTS mounting platform to the platform underside.

1,172,003 2/1916 Beehler................................. 292/88 12 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures WINDOW OPENER AND LATCH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to latches, and more particularly concerns an inexpensive latch especially adapted for use with sliding-panel windows and the like.

Windows of the sliding panel variety are being increasingly adopted for use in vehicles such as mobile homes and in other structures. Such windows are light in weight. and do not necessarily require complex closing mechanisms such as those found in automobiles. The elimination of such closing mechanisms lowers the cost of the window, and provides at least small amounts of wall space, which may be at a premium in a vehicle home.

Most of these sliding-panel window devices utilize a pair of glass plates or panels with at least one panel being slidable upon a track past the other panel. Such arrangement requires no window-receiving cavity in the surrounding wall structure and permits the wall interior to be filled with insulation. It is desirable, of course, to be able to maintain the movable panel in a closed and locked position.

It is the general object of this invention to provide a low cost latch mechanism of simple construction and long service life for use with sliding-panel windows or like structures.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a latch mechanism for a sliding-panel window or the like wherein the latch parts are arranged to permit the sliding window panel to be unlocked and opened with a simple and uniform motion by the window manipulator.

It is another object of the invention to provide a latch which positively locks the sliding panel against inadvertent opening when it is pushed into a closed position.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a latch mechanism having relatively few moving parts, all of which are stressed to only low degrees, thereby enchancing the long service life of the latch.

A further object is to provide a window latch for a sliding window or like structure which provides a solid operational feel during latch manipulation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings. Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view showing a typical slidingpanel window utilizing the present novel latch device.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially in the plane ofline 22 in FIG. 1 and showing the latch parts in a fully assembled position for retaining a movable window panel;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the latch parts as they appear during latch assemy;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line 5-5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the window latch swing arm and mounting platform members;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the latch bese element upon which the mounting platform is affixed;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing, in exploded relationship, parts of a modified version of the latch and the window panel to which the latch is affixed;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line 9-9 in FIG. 12;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line 10-40 in FIG. 8;

FIG. II is a perspective view showing the modified latch in its assembled and latched position;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line 12-12 in FIG. 1];

FIG. 13 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 11 and showing another modification of the latch device; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 13 and showing yet another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION While the invention will be described in connection with preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Turning first to FIG. 1, there is shown a typical bipanel window 20 mounted by a frame 21 within a surrounding wall 22. Here, a relatively stationary window panel 23 is fixed within the frame 21, and a second window panel 24 is mounted for sliding motion between tracks 25. As may be envisioned, when the second window panel 24 is moved into general superinposition over the first window panel 23, ventilating breezes are admitted through the opened area.

To secure the movable window panel 24 in its closed position, a novel latch 30 is provided. In general, this latch may be considered to include a stationary base element 31 which is adapted for attachment to the movable window panel 24, and a latch member 32. The base member 31 can be attached to the movable window panel 24 by adhesive 34, through-bolts (not shown), or other convenient means.

In accordance with the invention, the latch includes only a few parts, and these parts are subjected to low stress forces. To this end, the latch member 32 includes a stationary mounting platform 37 adapted for fixed attachment to the base 31, and a spring arm 38 hinged to the mounting platform 37. The latch member 32 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5 can be formed as a single piece from any suitable plastic or other material; when formed of plastic, a thin ridge 40 integrally molded between the mounting platform 37 and swing arm 38 provides a living hinge or a thin web of material interconnecting the swing arm 38 and the mounting platform 37 for relative pivotal movement.

After the base member 31 has been mounted in its desired location upon one window panel, the latch member 32 is secured upon it. In the illustrated embodiments, this mounting is accomplished by base member tongues 43 and 44 which engage mating mounting platform grooves 45 and 46 respectively when the mounting platform 37 is slid over the base member 31. Here, the tongues and grooves are formed along the longitudinal edges 49 and 50 of each respective element to provide a maximized bearing area and a correspondingly secure fit. This two-part mounting arrangement is especially helpful in relatively high speed production of camper vehicles and the like: the

base element 31 can be first positioned upon the window panel, and when the base securing adhesive 34 has dried and the base member has been firmly affixed in its desired position, the latch mounting platform 32 can be slid over the base 31.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention. the swing arm 32 is biased into the closed or latching position overlying the mounting platform 37 as shown in solid lines in FIG. 2. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, this biasing action is produced by a cantilever spring member 52 formed as part of the base 31.

When the latch is assembled, the swing arm 32 is folded from the position shown in FIG. 3 into the position shown in FIG. 2 wherein the swing arm 32 overlaps the mounting platform 31 as illustrated. In such overlapping position, a hooked stop device 54, formed on an undersurface S of the swing arm 32, protrudes through an opening 56 formed in the mounting platform 37. As the mounting platform 37 and swing arm 38 are slid over the mounting base 31, the underside 58 of the spring member 52 engages a top side 59 of the hook stop 54 in an interengaging knuckle connection, as illustrated in FIG. 3. A tapered stud portion 61 lo cated adjacent the hook stop 54 provides a guiding action as the hook stop 54 moves through the mounting platform opening 56, and during subsequent latch operation. At an opposite end of the latch, a similar elongated tapered stud 62 fits through a mating hole 63 formed in the mounting platform 32 to provide a guiding action during both initial swing arm positioning and subsequent latch operation.

To fully retain the mounting platform 37 and associated swing arm 38 upon the base member 31, a lock spring 65 formed on the cantilever spring 52 engages an edge 66 of the hook member 54 to prevent the mounting platform 37 from sliding off the base member 31 in a retrograde direction. The lock spring 65 is unitarily formed with the main biasing spring 52, and snaps into place as the end 66 of the hook 54 completes its passage over the lock spring 65. A stop 67 or other structure is formed at one end of the mounting base 31 to prevent the mounting platform 37 from sliding off the base member 31 in a forward direction either during assembly or thereafter.

Latch operation is apparent to even those who may see the latch for the first time. When an operator's finger 70 presses a swing arm leg 71 in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 2, the swing arm 38 is moved from the position shown in solid lines to that shown in phantom lines against the pressure of the biasing spring 52. Such motion withdraws an elongated finger member 72 from knuckle-like engagement with a fixed mullion 73 affixed to or forming part of the window frame 21. In the illustrated embodiment, this latch finger 72 extends below and terminates outside the plane of a swing arm undersurface 75 which generally abuts the top of the mounting platform 37. A stiffener 76 can be mounted on the finger tip if desired to increase finger wear life. After finger-mullion engagement is broken, continued pressure by the operators finger 70 in the opening direction causes the window panel 24 upon which the base and mounting platform are carried to be slid in the direction indicated by the arrow A, thus opening the window.

During swing arm rotation, both the hook stop 54 and the cantilever spring 52 rotate upwardly, as can be envisioned from FIG. 2. This motion brings the spring 52 into a stop position against the stationary mounting platform 37, and halts further upward rotational motion of the hook stop 54 or swing arm 38.

An alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 8-14. Here hooks 80 and 81 are formed to fit through respective holes 82 and 83 formed in the mounting platform 37. Tips 84 and 85 of the hooks engage the undersurface 86 of the mounting platform 37. The hooks 80 and 81 are resilient, and thus bias the swing arm into its latching position. As can be envisioned, the hooks 80 and 81 also provide a resilient stop action for the motion of the swing arm 38 when the tips 84 and 85 are pulled into a generally horizontal position underlying the mounting platform 37. A guide pin 90 attached to the underside of the swing arm 38 is positioned to fit through a guide hole 91 formed in the mounting platform 37. This guide pin and hole help stabilize swing arm motion.

A modified form of the swing arm leg 71 is provided in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8-12; this modified embodiment provides an undercut finger ledge 93 to assist in lifting the swing arm 38 and the attached fin ger 72 out of engagement with the mullion 73. If desired, the swing arm 38 can be formed separately from the mounting platform 37 to simply bear upon and rotate about a mounting platform bearing surface 93.

Yet another embodiment of the leg 71 is shown in FIG. 13. Here, a second leg 94 is affixed to the base 31 or mounting platform 37 which allows a pinching motion to be applied to the latch when latch operation is desired.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A latch for a multi-panel window or the like having a movable panel comprising; a stationary base element adapted for attachment to the movable panel, a latch member including a stationary mounting platform element attachably secured to said stationary base, a swing arm secured to said mounting platform for overlapping the mounting platform, hooked stop means mounted on the swing arm for engaging a stationary element of said stationary mounting platform to limit swinging motion of the swing arm relative to the stationary elements, and means interconnecting the swing arm and said stationary element to urge the spring arm into a locking position for engaging a fixed catch member.

2. A latch according to claim 1 wherein said hooked stop means engage an undersurface of said stationary mounting platform during swing arm motion.

3. A latch according to claim 1 including a biasing means forming a portion of said hooked stop means for engaging said stationary element to urge said swing arm into a closed position abuttingly overlying said platform.

4. A latch according to claim 1 including a biasing means connected to a stationary element for engaging said hooked stop means to urge said swing arm into a closed position abuttingly overlying said platform.

5. A latch according to claim 4 wherein said biasing means forms a portion at said base element.

6. A latch according to claim 5 wherein said biasing means includes locking means for locking said mounting platform to said base.

7. A latch according to claim 1 including living hinge means interconnecting said swing arm and said mounting platform for pivotal relative movement.

8. A latch according to claim 1 wherein said swing arm is provided with leg means to enable a latch user to move the swing arm through its limited swinging motion.

9. A latch member according to claim 1 wherein said swing arm is provided with a planar surface conforming to a mounting platform surface, and an elongated finger terminating out of the plane of said surface for engaging said fixed catch member.

10. A latch according to claim 1 wherein said base element and said mounting platform are provided with mating tongues and grooves for fixedly attaching the base element to the mounting platform when the mounting platform is slid over the base element.

ii. A latch for a window having a movable panel and a fixed frame comprising a stationary base element adapted for attachment to the window panel, and a latch member including a stationary mounting platform element attachably secured to said base, a spring arm hinged to and overlapping the mounting platform, resilient hook means mounted on the swing arm for resiliently engaging the mounting platform to define a limit of swinging motion by the swing arm relative to the stationary elements, and for interconnecting the spring arm and the mounting platform to urge the spring arm into a locking position for engaging a frame catch member.

12. A latch for a window having a fixed and a movable part comprising a stationary base element adapted for attachment to one window part, and a latch member including a stationary mounting platform element attachably secured to said base, a spring arm hinged to and overlapping the mounting platform, biasing means interconnecting the spring arm and the base element to urge the spring arm into a locking position for engaging a catch member mounted on a second window part, and hooked stop means mounted on the swing arm for engaging the biasing means to define a limit of swinging motion by the swing arm relative to the stationary elements.

* a: ni: =1- 

1. A latch for a multi-panel window or the like having a movable panel comprising; a stationary base element adapted for attachment to the movable panel, a latch member including a stationary mounting platform element attachably secured to said stationary base, a swing arm secured to said mounting platform for overlapping the mounting platform, hooked stop means mounted on the swing arm for engaging a stationary element of said stationary mounting platform to limit swinging motion of the swing arm relative to the stationary elements, and means interconnecting the swing arm and said stationary element to urge the spring arm into a locking position for engaging a fixed catch member.
 2. A latch according to claim 1 wherein said hooked stop means engage an undersurface of said stationary mounting platform during swing arm motion.
 3. A latch according to claim 1 including a biasing means forming a portion of said hooked stop means for engaging said stationary element to urge said swing arm into a closed position abuttingly overlying said platform.
 4. A latch according to claim 1 including a biasing means connected to a stationary element for engaging said hooked stop means to urge said swing arm into a closed position abuttingly overlying said platform.
 5. A latch according to claim 4 wherein said biasing means forms a portion at said base element.
 6. A latch according to claim 5 wherein said biasing means includes locking means for locking said mounting platform to said base.
 7. A latch according to claim 1 including living hinge means interconnecting said swing arm and said mounting platform for pivotal relative movement.
 8. A latch according to claim 1 wherein said swing arm is provided with leg means to enable a latch user to move the swing arm through its limited swinging motion.
 9. A latch member according to claim 1 wherein said swing arm is provided with a planar surface conforming to a mounting platform surface, and an elongated finger terminating out of the plane of said surface for engaging said fixed catch member.
 10. A latch according to claim 1 wherein said base element and said mounting platform are provided with mating tongues and grooves for fixedly attaching the base element to the mounting platform when the mounting platform is slid over the base element.
 11. A latch for a window having a movable panel and a fixed frame comprising a stationary base element adapted for attachment to the window panel, and a latch member including a stationary mounting platform element attachably secured to said base, a spring arm hinged to and overlapping the mounting platform, resilient hook means mounted on the swing arm for resiliently engaging the mounting platform to define a limit of swinging motion by the swing arm relative to the stationary elements, and for interconnecting the spring arm and the mounting platform to urge the spring arm into a locking position for engaging a frame catch member.
 12. A latch for a window having a fixed and a movable part comprising a stationary base element adapted for attachment to one window part, and a latch member including a stationary mounting platform element attachably secured to said base, a spring arm hinged to and overlapping the mounting platform, biasing means interconnecting the spring arm and the base element to urge the spring arm into a locking position for engaging a catch member mounted on a secoNd window part, and hooked stop means mounted on the swing arm for engaging the biasing means to define a limit of swinging motion by the swing arm relative to the stationary elements. 